...Chapter 2 IT Infrastructure and Support Systems IT at Work IT at Work 2.1 Western Petro Controls Costs with its Trade Management System For Further Exploration: Which processes are being automated and why? PetroMan is a comprehensive trading system that triggers buying and selling activities and integrates contract management, risk management, accounting, and pipeline scheduler. Using the PetroMan, the company can place bids and automatically capture a contract for refined products; and schedule and confirm deliveries in pipelines. PetroMan also handles the resale of fuels, including electronic invoicing and a credit module that checks and tracks a customer’s credit risk. This tracking is done by hedging large purchasing contracts by selling futures on the New York Mercantile (Commodities) Exchange. By hedging, the company protects itself against the risk of a large drop in oil prices. The software is plugged directly into the primary commodity exchanges--automating the process. Why is controlling risk important? By hedging, the company protects itself against the risk of a large drop in oil prices. The software is plugged directly into the primary commodity exchanges--automating the process. Does PetroMan provide Western Petro with a competitive advantage? Explain. Competitive advantage is defined as the strategic advantage one business entity has over its rival entities within its competitive industry. Achieving Competitive Advantage strengthens and positions...
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...Competitive Advantage and IT Support 18 1.5 Social Computing and Networking and Virtual Worlds 25 1.6 Why Should You Learn About Information Technology? 29 1.7 Plan of the Book 30 1.8 Managerial Issues 31 Minicase: NHS Hospitals Adopt Wireless 35 G Information Technologies: Concepts, Types, and IT Support 38 Mary Kay's IT Systems 39 2.1 Information Systems: Concepts and Definitions 41 2.2 Classification and Types of Information Systems 42 2.3 How IT Supports People 52 2.4 How IT Supports Supply Chains and Business Processes 56 2.5 Information Systems Infrastructure, Architecture, and Emerging Computing Environments 58 2.6 Innovative and Futuristic Information Systems 64 2.7 Managerial Issues 67 Minicase: Airbus Improves Productivity with RFID 72 Networked Devices and a Collaboration Portal Tackle Super Bowl Logistics 113 4.1 Enterprise Networks, Connectivity, and Trends 115 4.2...
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...Chapter 6 E-Supply Chains, Collaborative Commerce, and Corporate Portals Learning Objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to: 1. Define the e-supply chain and describe its characteristics and components. 2. List supply chain problems and their causes. 3. List solutions provided by e-commerce (EC) for supply chain problems. 4. Describe RFID supply chain applications. 5. Define c-commerce and list the major types. 6. Describe collaborative planning and collaboration, planning, forecasting, and replenishing (CPFR) and list the benefits of each. 7. Discuss integration along the supply chain. 8. Understand corporate portals and their types and roles. 9. Describe e-collaboration tools such as workflow software and groupware. 10. Describe Collaboration 2.0 technology and tools. Content Opening Case: Boeing’s Global Supply Chain for the Dreamliner 787 6.1 E-Supply Chains 6.2 Supply Chain Problems and Solutions 6.3 RFID as a Key Enabler in Supply Chain Management 6.4 Collaborative Commerce 6.5 Collaborative Planning, CPFR, APS, and PLM 6.6 Supply Chain Integration 6.7 Corporate (Enterprise) Portals 6.8 Collaboration-Enabling Environments and Tools Managerial Issues Closing Case: How Wal-Mart Uses EC in Its Supply Chain Answers to Section Review Questions Section 6.1 Review Questions 1. Define the e-supply chain and list its three major parts. It is...
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...RUNNING HEAD: THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY The Airline Industry Name College Table of contents Abstract 3 Introduction: 4 Products and services: 4 Organization: 4 Major players in the airline industry: 5 Economic impact of the airline industry: 8 Employment within the industry: 9 Key trends in the airline industry: 9 - Economic forces: 9 - Technological forces: 11 - Socio-cultural forces and political-legal forces / Government Regulations 13 Logistics and supply chain factors 14 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis: 16 Strategies used by airlines: 17 Expected Entrants: 18 Conclusion and Recommendations: 18 List of Abbreviations 20 Appendix: 20 References 21 Abstract The US airline industry is one of the key sectors of the country’s economy. Employing over ten million people, it contributes up to half a trillion dollars in annual revenues (about 5% of the US GDP). In recent years, the industry has been faced with major challenges arising from its external environment. Some of these include rising fuel prices and the global economic recession. As a result, growth in the industry has significantly slowed down with the ATA estimating that by the end of 2008 the industry had lost between $9 and $24 billion. With high intensity of industry rivalry, high supplier bargaining power, low threat from new entrants, low threat of substitution, and low buyer bargaining power; the industry’s attractiveness can be described as moderate. To be successful...
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...OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT www.ibscdc.org 1 Efficient Project Management at TransWorks Information Services Pvt. Ltd., an Indian-based BPO Company This is a real life case taken from a service industry; it discusses the real life problem faced by a BPO Company. It focusess on the problems faced by the calling agents and the management as a whole, many a times it so happens that the management perceives a problem in a different angle and the solution eludes them; this causes a lot of frustration on the part of employees and management resulting in mass attrition. The real concern today for any call centre company is its high attrition rate; the basic reason being the discord between the management and the employee. The employees look out for a congenial and empathetic management and shift to the other competing companies when offered a good work environment. This case study throws light on one such aspect where a mass attrition was avoided by the top management by strategic and lateral thinking. Pedagogical Objectives • How a manager dealt with such a challenging project with support of his team of 14 fresh trainees • How he managed to save the project and bring about some wonderful changes to glide through the difficult times • How innovation and teamwork can change things for an organisation. Industry Reference No. Year of...
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...Chapter 1 | Foundations of Information Systems in Business The Fundamental Roles of IS in Business Support of Business Processes and Operations . As a consumer, you regularly encounter information systems that support the business processes and operations at the many retail stores where you shop. For example, most retail stores now use computer-based information systems to help their employees record customer purchases, keep track of inventory, pay employees, buy new merchandise, and evaluate sales trends. Store operations would grind to a halt without the support of such information systems. Support of Business Decision Making . Information systems also help store managers and other business professionals make better decisions. For example, decisions about what lines of merchandise need to be added or discontinued and what kind of investments they require are typically made after an analysis provided by computer-based information systems. This function not only supports the decision making of store managers, buyers, and others, but also helps them look for ways to gain an advantage over other retailers in the competition for customers. Support of Strategies for Competitive Advantage . Gaining a strategic advantage over competitors requires the innovative application of information technologies. For example, store management might make a decision to install touch-screen kiosks in all stores, with links to the e-commerce Web site for online shopping. This offering might attract...
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...Management Information Systems MANAGING THE DIGITAL FIRM Kenneth C. Laudon New York University f Jane P. Laudon Azimuth Information Systems PEARSON feerttifie tall Pearson Education International Brief Contents Part One Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Part One Project Organizations, Management, and the Networked Enterprise 1 Information Systems in Global Business Today 2 Global E-Business: How Businesses Use Information Systems 38 Information Systems, Organizations, and Strategy 80 Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems 124 Analyzing Business Processes for an Enterprise System 165 Part Two Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Part Two Project Information Technology Infrastructure 167 IT Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies 168 Foundations of Business Intelligence: Databases and Information Management 222 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology 260 Securing Information Systems 312 Creating a New Internet Business 351 Part Three Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Part Three Project Key System Applications for the Digital Age 353 Achieving Operational Excellence and Customer Intimacy: Enterprise Applications 354 E-Commerce: Digital Markets, Digital Goods 388 Managing Knowledge 428 Enhancing Decision Making 470 Designing an Enterprise Information Portal 508 Part Four Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Part Four Project Building and Managing Systems 509 Building Systems 510 Project Management:...
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...Annual report 2006-07 We support our customers in developing their businesses on a global level with innovative travel and transportation solutions. In each of our businesses we are pursuing a strategy of profitable growth, founded on respect for our employees, shareholders and the environment. Our position as world leader in air transport gives us responsibilities and encourages us to set ever-higher standards of customer service, financial performance and social and environmental commitment. 2006-07 Contents At a glance ••• 1 Chairman’s message ••• 2 Key figures ••• 4 A contributor to the economy ••• 8 Interview with Jean-Cyril Spinetta and Leo van Wijk ••• 10 Passenger activity ••• 14 SkyTeam ••• 26 Cargo activity ••• 28 Maintenance activity ••• 34 Corporate governance ••• 42 Being a shareholder ••• 50 Sustainable development ••• 58 Consolidated financial statements ••• 64 Glossary ••• 69 Additional information on the Air France-KLM group can be found in the 2006-07 reference document on the website, www.airfranceklm-finance.com, or on request. 2006-07 At a glance Global leader 240 105 3 73.5 1.4 900 destinations in businesses million tons of cargo transported 1 countries million passengers carried aircraft maintained Profitable growth 23.1 billion euros of revenues billion euros of operating income employees 1.2 103,000 2 Dear Shareholder, This financial year draws to a close the first phase of the merger between Air France...
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...Contents South West Airlines 4 Goals and Objectives 5 Their Mission and Vision Statement 5 Strengths 6 Weaknesses 6 Opportunities 8 Threats 8 Analyzing company’s external environment 9 Analyzing the nature and strength of competitive forces 11 Competitive pressure stemming from bargaining power of buyer: 16 Determining whether the collective strength of the five competitive forces is conductive to good profitability: 17 Competitive pressure from seller of substitute products 18 Sign that competition from substitute is strong 19 Competitive pressure stunning from supplier bargaining power 20 PESTEL ANALYSIS 24 SCENARIO PLANNING 56 SCENARIO NO.1 58 SCENARIO NO.2 59 SCENARIO NO.3 59 SCENARIO NO.4 60 SCENARIO NO.5 60 SCENARIO NO.6 60 SCENARIO NO.7 61 SCENARIO NO.8 61 Competitors Objectives 62 Competitor's Current Strategy 63 Competitor's Resources and Capabilities 64 Competitor’s Assumptions 66 Regional Factors 67 Value chain activities: 68 Key competitive advantages: 72 Solutions: 82 Weights of Key success factors in five airlines: 86 COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE 92 FIVE GENERIC COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES: 92 LOW COST PROVIDER STRATEGIES: 92 DIFFERENTIATION STRATEGIES: 95 BEST-COST PROVEDER STRATEGIES: 96 FOCUS (MARKET NICHE) STRATEGY: 96 STRATEGIC ALLIANCE AND PARTNERSHIP: 97 MERGER AND ACQUISITION STRATEGIES. 98 VERTICAL INTEGRATION. 98 OUTSOURSING. 98 OFFENSIVE...
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...ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Third Edition This page intentionally left blank ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Third Edition George W. Reynolds Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States Ethics in Information Technology, Third Edition by George W. Reynolds VP/Editorial Director: Jack Calhoun Publisher: Joe Sabatino Senior Acquisitions Editor: Charles McCormick Jr. Senior Product Manager: Kate Hennessy Mason Development Editor: Mary Pat Shaffer Editorial Assistant: Nora Heink Marketing Manager: Bryant Chrzan Marketing Coordinator: Suellen Ruttkay Content Product Manager: Jennifer Feltri Senior Art Director: Stacy Jenkins Shirley Cover Designer: Itzhack Shelomi Cover Image: iStock Images Technology Project Manager: Chris Valentine Manufacturing Coordinator: Julio Esperas Copyeditor: Green Pen Quality Assurance Proofreader: Suzanne Huizenga Indexer: Alexandra Nickerson Composition: Pre-Press PMG © 2010 Course Technology, Cengage Learning ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced, transmitted, stored or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing, taping, Web distribution, information networks, or information storage and retrieval systems, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission...
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...Course Technology’s Management Information Systems Instructor and Student Resources Introduction to IS/MIS Principles of Information Systems, Eighth Edition • Stair, Reynolds Fundamentals of Information Systems, Fourth Edition • Stair, Reynolds Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition • Oz Information Technology in Theory • Aksoy, DeNardis Office Applications in Business Problem-Solving Cases in Microsoft Access & Excel, Sixth Annual Edition • Brady, Monk Succeeding in Business Applications with Microsoft Office 2007 • Bast, Gross, Akaiwa, Flynn, et.al Succeeding in Business with Microsoft Office Excel 2007 • Gross, Akaiwa, Nordquist Succeeding in Business with Microsoft Office Access 2007 • Bast, Cygman, Flynn, Tidwell Databases Database Systems, Eighth Edition • Rob, Coronel Concepts of Database Management, Sixth Edition • Pratt, Adamski Data Modeling and Database Design • Umanath, Scamell A Guide to SQL, Seventh Edition • Pratt A Guide to MySQL • Pratt, Last Guide to Oracle 10g • Morrison, Morrison, Conrad Oracle 10g Titles Oracle9i Titles Enterprise Resource Planning Concepts in Enterprise Resource Planning, Third Edition • Monk, Wagner Data Communications Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach, Fourth Edition • White Systems Analysis and Design Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World, Fifth Edition • Satzinger, Jackson, Burd Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with the Unified Process • Satzinger, Jackson, Burd Systems Analysis and...
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...Five Star Value Carrier: Business Transformation Plan (BTP 2) Disclaimer This Business Transformation Plan (BTP 2) document is issued to staff and external stakeholders with the following disclaimer in line with Bursa Malaysia guidelines: 1. These headline Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the BTP 2 are targets/aspirations set by Malaysia Airlines to reflect transparent performance management practices. To all intents and purposes, financial figures referred to as ‘forecasts’ and ‘estimates’ in the BTP 2 are KPIs. 2. These KPIs should not be construed as forecasts, projections, estimates or representations of the company’s future performance, occurrence or matter as the KPls are merely a set of targets/aspirations of future performance and aligned to the company’s strategy. It is our view that because the airline industry faces a tough business environment which MAS is not spared from, it is only appropriate that we disclose information to the public, in a manner that is as balanced and objective as possible. It should be pointed out that in this BTP 2 document, while MAS is announcing its 5-year (2008 - 2012) P&L aspirations, this does not necessarily mean that MAS will make the said profits during the period. The BTP 2 and its targets have been approved by the MAS Board of Directors, but are not to be considered as forecasts reviewed by external auditors. CONTENTS A Joint Message from the Chairman, CEO and CFO 1-2 Executive Summary 3-4 A: Achievements...
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...A Helping Hand for Europe: The Competitive Outlook for the EU Robotics Industry Authors: Simon Forge and Colin Blackman Editors: Marc Bogdanowicz and Paul Desruelle EUR 24600 EN - 2010 The The mission of the JRC-IPTS is to provide customer-driven support to the EU policymaking process by developing science-based responses to policy challenges that have both a socio-economic as well as a scientific/technological dimension. European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute for Prospective Technological Studies Contact information Address: Edificio Expo. c/ Inca Garcilaso, 3. E-41092 Seville (Spain) E-mail: jrc-ipts-secretariat@ec.europa.eu Tel.: +34 954488318 Fax: +34 954488300 http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu Legal Notice Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of this publication. The report reflects the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00 800 numbers or these calls may be billed. A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server http://europa.eu/ JRC 61539 EUR 24600 EN ISBN 978-92-79-17657-9 ISSN 1018-5593...
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...Knowledge Management Tools and Techniques Practitioners and Experts Evaluate KM Solutions This page intentionally left blank Knowledge Management Tools and Techniques Practitioners and Experts Evaluate KM Solutions Edited by Madanmohan Rao AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON NEW YORK • OXFORD • PARIS • SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO • SINGAPORE • SYDNEY • TOKYO Butterworth-Heinemann is an imprint of Elsevier Elsevier Butterworth–Heinemann 200 Wheeler Road, Burlington, MA 01803, USA Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP, UK Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier’s Science & Technology Rights Department in Oxford, UK: phone: (+44) 1865 843830, fax: (+44) 1865 853333, e-mail: permissions@elsevier.com.uk. You may also complete your request on-line via the Elsevier homepage (http://elsevier.com), by selecting “Customer Support” and then “Obtaining Permissions.” Recognizing the importance of preserving what has been written, Elsevier prints its books on acid-free paper whenever possible. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Rao, Madanmohan. KM tools and techniques : practitioners and experts evaluate KM solutions / Madanmohan Rao. p. cm. Includes...
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...PART 1 GLOBAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER ONE Globalization Learning Objectives After studying this chapter, you should be able to 1. Describe the process of globalization and how it affects markets and production. 2. Identify the two forces causing globalization to increase. 3. Summarize the evidence for each main argument in the globalization debate. 4. Identify the types of companies that participate in international business. 5. Describe the global business environment and identify its four main elements. A LOOK AT THIS CHAPTER This chapter defines the scope of international business and introduces us to some of its most important topics. We begin by presenting globalization—describing its influence on markets and production and the forces behind its growth. Each main argument in the debate over globalization is also analyzed in detail. We then identify the key players in international business today. This chapter closes with a model that depicts international business as occurring within an integrated global business environment. A LOOK AHEAD Part 2, encompassing Chapters 2, 3, and 4, introduces us to different national business environments. Chapter 2 describes important cultural differences among nations. Chapter 3 examines different political and legal systems. And Chapter 4 presents the world’s various economic systems and issues surrounding economic development. 24 Emirates’ Global Impact DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The...
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